Yamaha MT-10 SP 1000 2024 — Specifications

Who can claim to offer a roadster as radical as a superbike stripped of its fairings? With the 2024 MT-10 SP 1000, Yamaha pushes the envelope even further in the hyper-naked segment. This SP version of the phase 2 doesn't settle for a simple gold badge on the side. It packs a technological arsenal that puts it in direct confrontation with the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S and the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, while cultivating a temperament all its own.

At the heart of the matter lies a 998 cc inline four-cylinder that unleashes 165.9 horsepower at 11,500 rpm and 111.8 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm. A crossplane engine inherited from the R1 lineage, whose aggressive character and irregular rumble are uniquely its own. Compared to the previous generation, Yamaha found an extra six horsepower and a handful of Newton-metres as a bonus. On paper, the Italian competition posts higher figures, but the Iwata four-cylinder compensates with mid-range availability and a flexibility that the European V4s struggle to match. All channeled through a six-speed gearbox fitted with a bidirectional quickshifter, delivering pinpoint-accurate upshifts.

Where the SP truly justifies its price premium over the standard version is with its Öhlins semi-active suspension. The 43 mm inverted fork and mono-shock, both from the Swedish specialist, feature electronically controlled valving capable of adjusting rebound and compression in real time. Three automatic maps cover the spectrum from committed sport riding to touring comfort, while three manual modes allow fine-tuning of each parameter to personal taste. On broken roads as well as through a string of tight corners, the difference from passive suspension is felt within the first few kilometres. It's an investment, not an indulgence.

The onboard electronics rival those of a full-fledged sportbike. Four engine modes, lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS with two distribution levels, anti-slip, wheelie control, two-stage engine brake management, a six-axis inertial measurement unit, and the integrated YRC system form a remarkably comprehensive safety net. Braking duties fall to radially mounted four-piston calipers biting two 320 mm discs, now backed by a Brembo radial master cylinder. The setup brings the 214 kg wet weight to a halt with reassuring precision. The 4.2-inch TFT display remains modest in size compared to the competition, but legibility gets the job done. The seat perched at 835 mm and the 17-litre tank outline a program geared toward thrills rather than long-distance touring.

That leaves the question everyone is asking: what is the price of the 2024 Yamaha MT-10 SP 1000 in France? The bill comes to 18,999 euros — a substantial entry ticket, but a fair one compared to a significantly pricier Streetfighter V4 S. The R1M-inspired livery, the standard engine guard, and the braided steel brake lines add a couple of kilos on the scales but a great deal of visual character. The still-polarizing front-end design, slightly softened on this phase 2, leaves no one indifferent. The MT-10 SP is aimed at experienced riders who want a roadster capable of giving sportbikes a run for their money on twisting back roads, while remaining usable as a daily ride. Not a beginner's machine, not a pure track tool. A concentrated dose of controlled brutality, built for those who like to feel the tarmac pulse beneath their soles.